NFL Free Agency 2024: Where Is Every Team Going?
Let's review each team's free agency approach and what might have been their reasoning.
The first week of NFL free agency has passed and it would seem as though things have settled down for the most part.
There could still be a few moves that happen as this piece goes out (for example, L'Jarius Sneed is the subject of trade talks), but now is as good a time as any to look at the 2024 free agency period thus far and see what happened.
There will be those who will tell you about winners and losers but the reality is we won't know who won or lost until the 2024 NFL season takes place. Instead, I want to look at each team's activity in free agency and figure out what approach they are taking.
Let's go over each team and see what their moves say about their direction.
Arizona Cardinals
Most significant moves: Signing OT Jonah Williams to a two-year, $30M contract; signing IDL Justin Jones to a three-year, $31.165M contract; trading for QB Desmond Ridder.
The Cardinals made a few moves in free agency, but most were about value. They are still committed to Kyler Murray at quarterback, though the 2024 season will tell whether or not he is truly the guy they can build around. The Cardinals do have multiple first-round picks in the 2024 draft, which will allow them to find a couple of players to build around, regardless of Murray's long-term future.
Atlanta Falcons
Most significant moves: Signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180M contract; signing WR Darnell Mooney to a three-year, $39M contract.
The Falcons aren't hard to figure out. They will forget about drafting a quarterback early (though using a Day 3 pick on one can't be ruled out) and are going "all in" with Cousins and the skill players they recently drafted. While the strategy may pay off in 2024 given how weak the AFC South is, it's not a given this will work for the long term. If things don't improve in the next two seasons, the Falcons could be looking for a new general manager.
Baltimore Ravens
Most significant moves: Signing IDL Justin Madubuike to a four-year, $98M contract; signing RB Derrick Henry to a two-year, $16M contract.
For the Ravens, it's business as usual -- forget about free agency for the most part, but take care of the players you drafted, developed and want to keep for the long term. The Henry signing doesn't come with a lot of risk. It could have been easy for the Ravens to go "all in" on a top player from another team, but they opted not to do so.
Buffalo Bills
Most significant moves: Signing OT Dion Dawkins to a three-year, $60M extension.
Some people may have been surprised that the Bills cut multiple players, but they did the right thing. Rather than restructure everyone and kick the can down the road, they renegotiated some deals and simply moved on from other players. Dawkins, an offensive tackle, was worth extending and the Bills were able to retain a couple of free agents. They thus keep flexibility for the future, which will give them a better chance at a Super Bowl. The only thing they need to do is find the right players in the upcoming draft.
Carolina Panthers
Most significant moves: Signing OG Robert Hunt to a five-year, $100M contract; signing OG Damien Lewis to a four-year, $53M contract; trading for WR Diontae Johnson.
The Panthers invested a lot of money in the offensive line, then focused on lower-cost free agents to address other needs. The Hunt contract represents a significant commitment, in that it's a "three years then we'll see" type of deal. The question is whether Bryce Young can improve in 2024. Of course, the Panthers have no first-round pick, so they may not have had a choice but to ride out with Young.
Chicago Bears
Most significant moves: Signing CB Jaylon Johnson to a four-year, $76M contract, trading for WR Keenan Allen.
One could say it's an open secret that the Bears are taking Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. The Bears were active in free agency but their biggest moves were taking care of one of their own, then acquiring a veteran receiver in a trade. The Bears do have the roster in place to take advantage of a rookie QB like Williams, plus flexibility in 2025 to be more aggressive in free agency if they wish.
Cincinnati Bengals
Most significant moves: Franchising WR Tee Higgins; signing IDL Sheldon Rankins to a two-year, $24.5M contract.
Most seasons, the Bengals have not been aggressive in free agency and 2024 was no exception. Though they signed multiple players, they were more about looking for value. Now they must determine what to do with Higgins — do they trade him or do they try to extend him?
Cleveland Browns
Most significant moves: Trading for WR Jerry Jeudy.
The Browns weren't in a position to be aggressive in free agency but did bring back a few of their own free agents, along with adding a couple on low-cost deals. The trade for Jeudy didn't come with much risk. They are being careful in terms of how they navigate around the contract they gave DeShaun Watson two years ago. They must remain careful going forward, given their cap situation for 2025 and that it's possible they could make regime changes if they don't make the playoffs in 2024.
Dallas Cowboys
Most significant move: Signing LB Eric Kendricks to a two-year, $13.25M contract.
People shouldn't have been surprised that the Cowboys were barely active in free agency. Their most pressing concerns are to take care of their own players. Getting an extension done with CeeDee Lamb should be at the top of the list. They also need to figure out how much they believe in Dak Prescott for the long term, plus Micah Parsons is eligible for an extension. Chances are you'll see the Cowboys make headlines in the coming months, though it will most likely it will be about taking care of their own.
Denver Broncos
Most significant move: Signing S Brandon Jones to a three-year, $20M contract.
The Broncos made bigger headlines for a cut they made. Russell Wilson's release leaves them with a $53M dead money charge for 2024. They are dealing with the pain that comes with that and sat out free agency for the most part — a move that may have happened, anyway, after they were aggressive last season. All eyes are now on the draft and what the Broncos will do to address the quarterback situation.
Detroit Lions
Most significant moves: Signing IDL DJ Reader to a two-year, $27.25M (max value) contract; trading for CB Carlton Davis.
The Lions didn't make a splashy move in free agency and focused more on value, though their trade for Davis is notable. The team will have a lot of flexibility in 2025 but they do need to figure out if they have their long-term QB on the roster, whether that's Jared Goff or Hendon Hooker. The Lions are still in a good position for the playoffs this season -- it's just figuring out what their position looks like after this season.
Green Bay Packers
Most significant moves: Signing S Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $67M contract; signing RB Josh Jacobs to a four-year, $48M contract.
The Packers weren't active in free agency but did make two significant moves. They did upgrade the safety position with McKinney but the Jacobs signing carries some risk. Perhaps the biggest question to answer in 2024 is how well Jordan Love progresses. If he improves, how far will the Packers go with a new contract for him?
Houston Texans
Most significant moves: Signing EDGE Danielle Hunter to a two-year, $49M contract; signing TE Dalton Schultz to a three-year, $36M contract.
No team was better positioned to be aggressive in free agency than the Texans. They did take a big swing on Hunter, but it's the type of swing they could afford to take. Some might think they overpaid for Schultz, but when you have good, young talent at key positions, you can afford to splurge on a tight end. The Texans already traded out of the first round, so they seem comfortable with where they are at with recent draft classes.
Indianapolis Colts
Most significant moves: Signing Michael Pittman Jr. to a three-year, $68M contract; signing IDL Grover Stewart to a three-year, $39M contract.
The Colts focused on taking care of their own, with Pittman, Stewart and Kenny Moore II all retained. Otherwise, they followed the usual practice of looking for value in free agency. They will move forward with Anthony Richardson as their starting quarterback and see what 2024 brings. If things go well, the Colts could consider being more aggressive in 2025.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Most significant moves: Franchising EDGE Josh Allen; signing IDL Arik Armstead to a three-year, $51M contract; signing WR Gabriel Davis to a three-year $39M contract; trading for QB Mac Jones.
The Jaguars were active in free agency, though Armstead and Davis were the only players who got a significant sum, while others were on lower-cost deals. The Jags also renegotiated Brandon Scherff's contract. They now have to figure out an extension for Allen, then comes the extension talks for Trevor Lawrence. If the Jaguars don't make the playoffs, the question becomes how much longer they stick it out with the current regime.
Kansas City Chiefs
Most significant moves: Signing IDL Chris Jones to a five-year, $158.75M contract; franchising CB L'Jarius Sneed.
The new contract for Jones may have surprised some, given that the Chiefs were hesitant to extend him back in 2023. It's likely his 2023 season convinced the Chiefs to get a deal done, but now we'll see if he keeps playing at a high level. With the Jones move in the books, the Chiefs didn't aggressively pursue any other free agents (the Marquise Brown move was a value signing). The question that remains is whether they will get a trade done with Sneed.
Las Vegas Raiders
Most significant moves: Signing IDL Christian Wilkins to a five-year, $110M contract; signing QB Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25M contract.
The Raiders didn't make a lot of moves but the Wilkins signing was significant. He was coming off a quality season but, even though he has just five accrued seasons, he's 29 years old. Minshew got a deal that indicates he is a bridge quarterback, though the Raiders would have to pay him some money in 2025 if they decided to cut him. The Raiders might be a team that looks at quarterbacks on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, but it's possible they could ride it out with Aidan O'Connell as their young QB behind Minshew.
Los Angeles Chargers
Most significant move: Signing S Alohi Gilman to a two-year, $10.125M contract.
For the Chargers, this was more about who they moved on from than it was about who they brought in. I had pegged the Chargers as making a decision to pick between their two high-priced edge rushers (Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack) and their two high-priced wide receivers (Keenan Allen and Mike Williams) but they chose to keep the edge rushers and move on from both receivers. We'll see how that works out, but the Chargers did enough to show they are doing a soft rebuild around Justin Herbert.
Los Angeles Rams
Most significant moves: Signing OG Jonah Jackson to a three-year, $51M contract; signing OG Kevin Dotson to a three-year, $48M contract.
For the Rams, it was about taking care of their own for the most part, with one big swing on a free agent from another team (Jackson). Of course, what made the biggest headline was Aaron Donald's retirement. The Rams will no doubt hope for another playoff run but, if things don't work out, then 2025 will be the time to start the rebuild.
Miami Dolphins
Most significant move: Signing LB Jordyn Brooks to a three-year, $26.25M contract.
On one hand, the Dolphins signed a lot of free agents. On the other hand, they didn't go "all in" with a single signing. They seem to be doing what they can to put a roster together given their limited cap space. This season may be about the Dolphins figuring out if Tua Tagovailoa is the long-term guy. The Dolphins do have some flexibility for 2025 but must carefully navigate things in 2024 if they decide to hold off on an extension for Tagovailoa.
Minnesota Vikings
Most significant moves: Signing EDGE Jonathan Greenard to a four-year, $75M contract; signing Sam Darnold to a one-year, $10M contract.
The Vikings have been in a soft rebuild for the past couple of seasons. Greenard's deal is s significant while Darnold's is more about a bridge QB. The Vikings also acquired a first-round pick from the Texans, which may signal their intent to trade up for a QB in the 2024 NFL Draft. If they find their guy, they will be in a good position because their cap situation should be stronger in 2025.
New England Patriots
Most significant moves: Signing OG Michael Onwenu to a three-year, $57M contract; transition tagging S Kyle Dugger.
The Patriots were active in free agency but didn't spend as much money as they did back in 2021. They still put themselves into a good position for 2025. The question is what they do at quarterback. Jacoby Brissett is a bridge QB, so they need to determine if their guy is in the 2024 class or if they prefer to wait it out.
New Orleans Saints
Most significant move: Signing WR Cedrick Wilson to a two-year contract.
It's not surprising that the Saints did next to nothing in free agency. Along with Wilson, they added linebacker Willie Gay, but have spent this offseason becoming cap compliant. They are already projected to be well above the cap in 2025, so they need to draft well in 2024. I have wondered how much longer general manager Mickey Loomis will get — perhaps he's being given a chance to get out of the cap mess first, but can the Saints afford to wait that long?
New York Giants
Most significant move: Trading for EDGE Brian Burns and signing him to a five-year, $141M contract.
The Giants were quiet in free agency overall, but their most notable move was a huge one. They gave up multiple picks for Burns and made him one of the highest-paid pass rushers in the NFL. The Giants will ride out the Daniel Jones contract for another year but they can't be ruled out as a team taking a quarterback in the first round (perhaps JJ McCarthy?).
New York Jets
Most significant move: Signing IDL Javon Kinlaw to a one-year, $7.25M contract.
The Jets were also quiet in free agency but are the team that is almost certainly under a "win or else" directive. They might have gotten a mulligan after Aaron Rodgers' injury in 2023, but as long as he's healthy, they won't get another one. They could still complete a trade for Zach Wilson, though his trade value is quite low.
Philadelphia Eagles
Most significant moves: Signing EDGE Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51.1M contract; signing RB Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75M contract; trading for QB Kenny Pickett.
The Eagles were active in free agency with two big rolls of the dice. The Huff signing, though, could turn into a good one. But the Barkley signing commits the Eagles to him for two seasons and there's even a small sum of money he's due in the third year. I've always though of Howie Roseman as one of the best general managers in the NFL but we'll see how well things work out for the team's free agency haul.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Most significant moves: Signing LB Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41M contract; signing QB Russell Wilson; trading for QB Justin Fields; trading for CB Donte Jackson.
The Steelers didn't commit much to either Wilson or Fields, so the only question is whether one or the other he can be the guy to keep the Steelers in playoff contention. But the Queen signing aside, the Steelers stayed their usual course of avoiding free agency -- and the Queen contract is in line with most of their contracts in that the signing bonus represents most of the guaranteed money.
San Francisco 49ers
Most significant move: Signing EDGE Leonard Floyd to a two-year, $20M contract.
The Niners weren't in a position to be active in free agency but did make some moves to allow them the chance to add a couple of players. There is talk they may trade Brandon Aiyuk but it remains to be seen if that will happen. The Niners have a fair amount of draft capital for 2024, so it makes sense for them to focus on the draft to replenish the roster. Also, they will need to watch the cap carefully, as they are expected to be above the cap in 2025.
Seattle Seahawks
Most significant moves: Signing IDL Leonard Williams to a three-year, $64.5M contract; trading for QB Sam Howell.
The Seahawks parted ways with multiple players, brought back Williams and a couple of others, then looked for value in free agency. The Seahawks are arguably a team in transition, trying to get the quarterback situation settled while figuring out who can be part of the long term. They drafted well in 2023 and another good draft could at least give them a good foundation in place for a future move to draft a QB early.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Most significant moves: Signing QB Baker Mayfield to a three-year, $100M contract; signing WR Mike Evans to a two-year, $41M contract; tagging S Antoine Winfield Jr.
The Buccaneers opted to keep multiple players though they did part ways with a couple who were under contract. But they seem to be content with the roster they have, which some might attribute to being in a weak division. I think they risked a bit more with Mayfield than they should have, but we'll see if their faith in Mayfield will be rewarded.
Tennessee Titans
Most significant moves: Signing WR Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92M contract; signing C Lloyd Cushenberry to a four-year, $50M contract; signing CB Chidobe Awuize to a three-year, $21.75M contract.
No team was more aggressive in free agency overall than the Titans. I wonder if they are that confident in Will Levis being the quarterback they can build around. If things work out, that's great, but if they don't, the regime might be under pressure to add an expensive veteran in the future.
Washington Commanders
Most significant move: Signing EDGE Dorance Armstrong Jr. to a three-year, $33M contract.
While the Commanders made quite a few free agent signings, they looked for value. That's a good move when they are likely to draft a quarterback early but don't know yet how well that QB will work out. If they find the QB they can build around, they can be more aggressive in 2025.
Summary
Among the teams who were more active in free agency, I think the Texans and Commanders did the best overall job of navigating free agency, while the Titans were more aggressive than I would have been and the Jaguars approached things like the regime is on notice to win now.
For teams who were less active, I think the Ravens did a good job with what they did, while the Cowboys were correct to not be active because they need to focus on their own first. Among the others, the Saints are already in a difficult position in 2025 while the Niners and Browns need to proceed with caution going forward.
Of course, everyone will be looking toward the NFL Draft now. The Vikings have already made a draft move and one would expect they'll make another at some point. I'll talk more about the draft and NFL teams in the weeks to come.